Hospital and Clinic Lighting: Values by Area
Short answer
Under EN 12464-1 the typical targets in patient rooms are 100 lx for general lighting and 300 lx for reading, 1000 lx for examination and treatment, and 100–200 lx in corridors by day with a lower level at night. CRI 90 in examination areas, cleanable luminaires protected against dust (IP54 and above), night lights, emergency lighting and dimmable control are recommended. Surgical lights are covered by a separate standard.
In a hospital, light serves three different people at once: the doctor examining, the patient lying in bed and staff working around the clock. The doctor needs bright light that renders colour accurately, the patient restful light without glare, and staff light to walk safely along corridors at night without waking patients. That is why hospital lighting is planned area by area and hour by hour.
Typical values by area
| Area | Illuminance (lx) | Ra | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patient room, general | 100 | 80 | Dimmable; glare-free |
| Patient room, reading | 300 | 80 | Bedhead luminaire |
| Simple examination | 300 | 80 | |
| Examination and treatment | 1000 | 90 | Skin colour must look right |
| Corridor (day) | 100–200 | 80 | Lower level at night |
| Waiting area | 200 | 80 | Calm, warm tone |
| Operating theatre, general | 1000 | 90 | Surgical lights: separate standard |
The values in the table are typical targets from EN 12464-1; in a project, the table in the current edition of the standard and the specific conditions of the space should be used.
Patient room: layered light
- General light: indirect or low-glare, so that a patient lying in bed does not look straight into a light source.
- Reading and examination light: at the bedhead, controlled separately by the patient and staff.
- Night light: a very low guide light near the floor, so that staff can move without waking the patient.
Hygiene and durability
Because of frequent cleaning and disinfectants, luminaires should have flat, easy-to-wipe surfaces and protection against dust and water; IP54 or higher in general areas and more in sensitive areas. For what IP ratings mean, see our IP rating guide.
Colour quality
In examination and treatment areas, CRI 90 or higher is recommended so that signs such as pallor or cyanosis can be seen. For details, see our CRI guide.
Emergency lighting and control
Hospitals must keep working during a power cut; emergency lighting for escape routes and critical areas is usually planned with a 3-hour duration in line with the regulation and project specification. For maintenance and testing, see our emergency lighting maintenance guide. In corridors and common areas, a time schedule and presence sensors that dim the light at night both save energy and protect patients' sleep.
Conclusion
Hospital lighting combines illuminance planned for each area's users, high colour quality, hygienic luminaires and uninterrupted emergency lighting. For your clinic or hospital project you can request a lighting design.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lux should a patient room have?
Under EN 12464-1 the typical target is 100 lx for general lighting, 300 lx for reading in bed and 300 lx for simple examination. At night a very low night light is used that does not wake the patient.
What kind of light does an examination room need?
About 1000 lx in the examination and treatment area, and CRI 90 or higher so that changes in skin colour can be seen.
Why does IP matter for hospital luminaires?
Because of frequent cleaning and disinfectants, luminaires protected against dust and water (IP54 or higher) with flat, easy-to-wipe surfaces are preferred; sensitive areas require higher protection.
Is operating theatre lighting designed to the same values?
General lighting in the operating theatre is planned under EN 12464-1; surgical lights that illuminate the operating field are medical devices covered by a separate standard (IEC 60601-2-41).